South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says a lawsuit broughtagainst the state over federal stimulus money is flawed and premature.

But McMaster said in a filing with the Supreme Court on Monday that hewon't oppose the state Supreme Court taking up the challenge filed lastweek by a Chapin High School student.

McMaster says the timing may not be right to shift the issues raised in the case from a public policy debate to the courtroom.

McMasterrecapped arguments made earlier this month that question theLegislature's authority to request federal money that Sanford has saidhe won't request unless it can be used to offset or reduce debt.

McMaster says if the court takes the case he hopes the justices will apply principles that protect the state's rights.